Sutton is told to rest

Villa's evergreen striker Chris Sutton has been wrapped in cotton wool in the countdown to Sunday's trip to Wigan - to prevent him "seizing up". Manager Martin O'Neill has given the 33-year-old several days off following his match-winning heroics at Everton last Saturday.

O'Neill wants to preserve Sutton's energy after substituting the stiker late on through sheer exhaustion in the two games he's started so far.

"I'm obviously very pleased with Sutton," said O'Neill.

"But he was out on his feet again at Everton and I'm concerned in the last minutes of matches, where he's given everything and then gets so tired, the muscles seize up on him.

"I've given him a few days off because he's worked hard. So he's gone to see his animals on his farm."

O'Neill added: "He's a good character and he's very conscientious.

"He's still enjoying his football and at this stage of his career he's got to enjoy it, otherwise it would be a real waste of time.

"I know it's a contract to the end of the season and he was absolutely adamant if things didn't work out, he'd just pack his bags and head off.

"But I always felt he had a chance. He's giving it everything he's got.

"Maybe I've been less concerned about him playing for Birmingham than I might have been. The fans have taken to him straight away, which is pleasing."

Milan Baros scored a last minute equaliser to earn the Czech Republic a 1-1 draw with Denmark last night - his first goal of the season.

Baros has so far failed to sparkle under O'Neill, but the boss says little should be made of him choosing Steven Davis over him when Sutton was forced off in injury-time at Everton.

"I wouldn't read too much into it," he said.

"With time ticking down it was a matter of getting someone on, rather than anything else.

"There was less than three minutes to go, and we were having to maybe put the ball into the corner at that stage, to run the time down.

"So therefore it would have been better for Steven and Gabby to do that.

"The best way to get fitness and confidence is by playing games."